Second review of Philippine mines to proceed despite minister’s removal – official

THE Philippine government will move forward with a second review of the country’s mines, despite the removal of Regina Lopez as environment minister, a finance official said on Thursday.

The Mining Industry Coordinating Council (MICC), an inter-agency panel that includes the finance and environment ministries, ordered a review in February of the operations and the environmental and social impacts of the country’s mines.

“Definitely it will continue because it’s the mandate of the MICC to do just that regardless of who’s in the (Department of Environment and Natural Resources),” Finance Undersecretary Bayani Agabin said in a statement.

The review will cover all 41 mines operating in the Philippines, including the 26 that Lopez had earlier ordered closed or suspended in February after a months-long audit last year led by the environment ministry.

She also cancelled dozens of contracts for undeveloped mines in the world’s top nickel ore supplier.

The MICC ordered the review following criticism from miners that Lopez’s decision was baseless and lacked due process.

Lawmakers comprising the Commission of Appointments rejected Lopez as environment minister at a vote on Wednesday, ending her 10-month mining crackdown, which was backed by President Rodrigo Duterte but led to demands for her removal.